Chapter 33: Chapter 34: The official announcement

Elara’s POV

Later that day at the council meeting , felt like an ambush.

I sat at the head of the long table, my back straight, my face composed. Trying to look like a queen even though exhaustion dragged at every bone in my body.

I hadn’t slept well. Again. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kaelen’s back torn open by the whip. Heard his screams. Felt his blood on my hands.

And underneath all of that was something else. Something I’d been trying to ignore.

The sickness.

It had started a few days ago. Waking up feeling like my stomach was turning inside out.

This morning had been the worst yet. But it had passed. Now I just felt weak. Tired. Like my body was fighting something I couldn’t see.

I kept telling myself it was stress. Sleepless nights. The constant pressure of decisions that could kill people if I got them wrong.

That’s all it was. Just stress.

Around the table, the council members were talking. Discussing trade routes. Tax collection. Normal business.

I tried to focus. Tried to care. But my mind kept drifting back to the dungeons. To Kaelen lying on that cold stone floor. To the kiss I shouldn’t or did gave given him.

“Your Majesty?”

I blinked. Looked up. Lord Malakor was standing. Looking at me with that cold smile.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I was distracted. What did you say?”

“I said,” Malakor repeated slowly, “that I have some news for the council. And for you, Your Majesty.”

Something in his tone made my stomach tighten. This wasn’t going to be good news. Not for me, anyway.

“Please,” I said. “Share your news.”

Malakor’s smile widened. “The council is pleased to inform you that King Thorin of Valerium has accepted our invitation. He will arrive in three days to discuss a formal alliance between our kingdoms.”

The word “alliance” hung in the air. Heavy. Deliberate. He had told me this before, but now he was announcing it to the entire council, making it official.

I kept my face perfectly neutral. Showed nothing. But inside, my heart was pounding. This was happening whether I wanted it or not.

“King Thorin is a powerful ruler,” Malakor continued. “He has extensive military resources. Trade connections throughout the western kingdoms. A marriage between Dravara and Valerium would strengthen both our positions significantly. The council believes this is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.”

I kept my face perfectly neutral. Showed nothing. “I was not aware the council had extended any such invitation.”

“We took the liberty of initiating preliminary discussions,” Malakor said smoothly. “Given the… instability following the assassination attempt, we felt it prudent to explore options for strengthening your position.”

“Instability,” I repeated.

“Two attempts on your life, Your Majesty,” Malakor said. “The first at your coronation. The second…” He paused. “Well, we’re still investigating the details of that incident. But it’s clear that you are vulnerable. That the crown needs protection. A strong husband would provide that.”

Around the table, council members were nodding. Some looked genuinely supportive. Others had calculation in their eyes. Cold. Measuring.

I realized with a sinking feeling that this was coordinated. Malakor hadn’t acted alone. He’d brought the council with him. Presented me with a decision that was already made.

A trap designed to limit my options.

“King Thorin’s interest is genuine,” another council member added. An older lord whose name I could never remember. “He has been searching for a suitable match. Your reputation has reached him favorably.”

“My reputation,” I said flatly.

“You are young,” the lord continued. “Beautiful. Well-educated. And you command one of the wealthiest kingdoms in the region. Any king would be fortunate to have you as a wife.”

The way he said it made me feel like property. Like something being sold at market. Like my worth was measured only in what I could bring to a man.

“Three days is very little time to prepare for a royal visit of this significance,” I said carefully.

“Which is why we must begin preparations immediately,” another council member jumped in, I think. “Your Majesty’s schedule will need to be cleared. Appropriate entertainments must be arranged. A formal ball. Hunting parties. Private dinners. The palace must be presented at its finest.”

“We should also discuss your wardrobe,” another voice said. “You’ll need new gowns. Something that shows you as both regal and… approachable. We want King Thorin to see you as a desirable match.”

“A tour of the treasury would be appropriate,” someone else added. “Show him the kingdom’s wealth. Our resources.”

“And perhaps a military demonstration,” yet another voice chimed in. “Show him the strength of our guard. Our readiness to defend the kingdom.”

They were all talking at once now. Planning. Organizing. Treating this like it was already decided.

I felt the trap closing around me.

I couldn’t refuse to meet with King Thorin. Not without appearing weak. Unstable. The council had already committed Dravara’s reputation to this negotiation. They’d invited him. Made promises. Built expectations.

To reject it now would humiliate him. Would potentially turn a possible ally into an enemy.

But accepting?

Accepting meant walking into marriage discussions while I wasn’t ready in any way.

While my authority hung by threads I was still learning to control.

“I will, of course, receive King Thorin with appropriate courtesy,” I said. My voice came out steady. Stronger than I felt. “However, I have made no decisions regarding marriage. This will be an exploratory discussion, nothing more.”

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Malakor agreed smoothly.

But his tone suggested he had already won the important battle. This was just the formal dance now. The final steps before the inevitable conclusion.

“King Thorin understands this is an initial meeting,” he continued. “Though I should mention, he is aware of the recent assassination attempt. He will want assurances that you are well-protected. That your security has been… reinforced.”

The emphasis on the last word was deliberate. I heard the unspoken message clearly: Your guard failed you. Your judgment in trusting him is being questioned.

“My security is being thoroughly reviewed,” I responded coolly. “I am satisfied with the measures in place.”

Malakor’s smile didn’t waver. He knew exactly what I was doing. And he knew he was winning anyway.

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